| Author | Message | ||
| 57basstra
Junior Username: 57basstra Post Number: 30 Registered: 4-2005 |
I'd like to know more about the Alembic 6-string, (or 12-string) guitars. Are there any really outstanding guitar players who use Alembics regularly? Can you give me any recordings past or present that may feature Alembic guitars? Any other info would be great and I will likely be asking more guitar questions. Thanks to all. This is a 2 cool site! (Message edited by 57basstra on July 20, 2005) | ||
| hydrargyrum
Intermediate Member Username: hydrargyrum Post Number: 126 Registered: 3-2004 |
A little known band called the grateful dead, and their lead guitar player, Jerry Garcia, may be the best known;-) But I think you will find that their are a ton of famous players who have used them at one time or another, or stratoblasters, or F1-X's, F2-B's and SF-2's for that matter. Someone around here will likely be more specific. | ||
| 57basstra
Junior Username: 57basstra Post Number: 31 Registered: 4-2005 |
Thanks...I knew Garcia played Alembic. I wondered about others out there. | ||
| hydrargyrum
Intermediate Member Username: hydrargyrum Post Number: 127 Registered: 3-2004 |
Sorry, couldn't help myself. | ||
| 57basstra
Junior Username: 57basstra Post Number: 32 Registered: 4-2005 |
Oh yeah...in my neck of the woods Country Music is rather popular (along with Bluegrass, Gospel, and some Folk.) I am doing my best to introduce the folks hereabout to the sounds of Alembic. Anybody know of any Country Artists that ever played Alembics? | ||
| hydrargyrum
Intermediate Member Username: hydrargyrum Post Number: 128 Registered: 3-2004 |
I think David Gilmour uses F-1x preamps, SRV used a stratoblaster, Steve Miller played alembics, I have seen a picture of Pete Townshend on the site with an alembic, I think (but am not positive) Carlos Santana, undoubtedly a boatload more . . . | ||
| 57basstra
Junior Username: 57basstra Post Number: 33 Registered: 4-2005 |
I'm also trying to get enough posts so that the 'Junior" goes away from my username. (At least it doesn't say Junior Member!! Something about that moniker that is quite less than appealing.) | ||
| dfung60
Member Username: dfung60 Post Number: 89 Registered: 5-2002 |
Whoa there... Jerry Garcia's best known guitars were built by Doug Irwin, not Alembic. Irwin had worked at Alembic and his guitars are clearly influenced by Alembic's designs, but Rosebud, Wolf, and Tiger aren't Alembic products. Alembic's Tribute guitar is influenced by the design of Tiger. Garcia didn't play a lot of electrics, but played SGs, Travis Beans, and a custom-built Cripe guitar which was influenced by the Irwins as well. Phil Lesh did play Alembic for many years, and the there are many, many close ties between Alembic and the Grateful Dead including The Wall of Sound, and Ron Wickersham working magic in the Dead's studios. One Alembic guitarist that was very prominent was Carlos Alomar who played a beautiful Series I guitar behind David Bowie for many years and many albums. | ||
| hydrargyrum
Intermediate Member Username: hydrargyrum Post Number: 129 Registered: 3-2004 |
I thought there was some bit of debate about the origin of at least one of garcia's guitars (wasn't irwin working for alembic at the time, and didn't he later replace the alembic logo with his own on that guitar? Someone correct me. . . . But there is no doubt that the sophisticated electronics in Garcia's guitars owe some debt to the ground alembic paved. | ||
| jagerphan84
Advanced Member Username: jagerphan84 Post Number: 201 Registered: 10-2003 |
Check out this thread to see Susan's clarification on the subject. Here's a partial quote: Doug Irwin worked for Alembic when the instrument now known as the "Wolf" guitar was built. He was an apprentice with no previous guitar buliding experience. The instrument was designed and built at Alembic, originally sporting the Alembic Headstock and logo that Doug later replaced with his own. It did not have the Wolf inlay at first that was added by Doug years later. Adam | ||
| lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 532 Registered: 7-2004 |
Wolf was an Alembic. (The Further guitar is based on Wolf). After Irwin left Alembic, Garcia brought it to him for a repair, at which time Irwin removed the Alembic logo and replaced it with his own. Country Alembic players? Try some NRPS (New Riders of the Purple Sage). John "Marmaduke" Dawson often played an Alembic and I think Dave Nelson may have too. IIRC Prince played an Alembic that had the logo removed. And David Crosby has a 12 string Guild Starfire modded by Alembic. An absolutely gorgeous guitar in Brazilian Rosewood that I had the pleasure of seeing at Alembic recently. Bill, tgo | ||
| lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 533 Registered: 7-2004 |
Adam: You posted while I was composing. Great minds do indeed think alike. Bill, tgo | ||
| jseitang
Member Username: jseitang Post Number: 64 Registered: 6-2002 |
david glimour played and still PLAYS through a alembic f2b preamps. | ||
| 57basstra
Junior Username: 57basstra Post Number: 41 Registered: 4-2005 |
...most interesting posts to my thread; as my personal motto states, "Play on!" | ||
| dela217
Senior Member Username: dela217 Post Number: 521 Registered: 6-2002 |
John Dawson is a good example of a Country player using an Alembic. Another one that I can think of that is more mainstream is Glen Campbell. I am sure there are more, I just have to think a bit. | ||
| 811952
Senior Member Username: 811952 Post Number: 441 Registered: 10-2003 |
I seem to recall Susan posting somewhere that BB King has an ES-335 with Series II guts... | ||
| 57basstra
Junior Username: 57basstra Post Number: 43 Registered: 4-2005 |
G. Campbell -- in my opinion -- is a very underappreciated picker, at least these days; although he did have a 'hey day'. Anyway, where did he play Alembic? Any particular recording that we know of? "Galveston," etc., ?? | ||
| bracheen
Senior Member Username: bracheen Post Number: 778 Registered: 11-2003 |
Susan posted about BB King and several others here in answer to a simialr question from me. http://alembic.com/club/messages/449/8394.html Sam | ||
| 57basstra
Junior Username: 57basstra Post Number: 44 Registered: 4-2005 |
Thanks, Sam. That 's an amazing list. So Paul Reed Smith bought Alembic for a project. How about that. Also, Dicky Betts with one. Wonder if its that "Red Guitar" of Dicky''s that Charlie Daniels was singing about years ago in "The South's Gonna Do It Again"? | ||
| bigredbass
Senior Member Username: bigredbass Post Number: 432 Registered: 9-2002 |
G Campbell is a guitar playing monster. Of course he was part of the early 60s West Coast 'ATeam' that cut soooo many of the big 60s AM radio (yes kids, A-M!) that those of us my age remember. Along with Howard Roberts, Tedesco, Carol King, Joe Osborne, Leon Russell, Larry Knechtel, etc. Giants cut a lot of those 'little pop records' between jazz dates to pay the rent . . . Here in Nashville, GC was once on a local noon time show, where with his Adamas Ovation he played hit after hit he played on, records of his own, etc., while talking with the interviewer. It was a stunning demonstration of a magical facility at his craft, made even the more stunning as he was talking and laughing while he was doing it . . . he wasn't even thinking about what he was doing, it just came out of him. And all with that wonderful economy that thousands of sessions will teach you, and tons of chops you can only be born with. Amazing. J o e y | ||
| cosmic
Junior Username: cosmic Post Number: 13 Registered: 5-2005 |
At the recent Live8 concert I dont think David Gilmour wasn't using his main stage rig that included the F2B. From all photos I've seen he was using his Pete Cornish designed pedalboard instead, going straight into the DG model Hiwatt. From what I read DG's board does not contain a F2B -- his main stage rack does, but not this board. Pete Cornish pedalboard's are pretty sweet if you've never checked one out: http://www.petecornish.co.uk/fxboards.html | ||
| zappahead
Intermediate Member Username: zappahead Post Number: 114 Registered: 10-2002 |
The story on the "Wolf" guitar has a few different variations. The most common story though, is that Irwin did create the guitar while he was still working at Alembic. Thats the tale that Irwin, Rick Turner and Garcia all have told. It did have an Alembic logo and lets face it, memories are a bit "hazy" from all involved in that guitar. I have never really known who to believe. | ||
| dannobasso
Advanced Member Username: dannobasso Post Number: 288 Registered: 3-2004 |
I'm not sure why people are so concerned about it. It exists, Jerry used it and made people happy. Recordings were made, relive the moments without obsessing on the gear. Create your own music and touch the lives of others in whatever capacity you can. Be it pro, weekend warrior, open jam regular or serenading your children, get out there and do it. I'm about as far from a deadhead as you can get but I respect Jerry's legacy. I believe that Susan and Ron have a place in that history even when he used a Strat. (sorry for the rant, too many wedding gigs lately) Danno | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 2096 Registered: 5-2002 |
Now there's a picture; Doomtree playing a wedding gig! | ||
| dadabass2001
Senior Member Username: dadabass2001 Post Number: 414 Registered: 6-2002 |
Dave, I was thinking the same thing (lol). Danno, do you get to do the father-daughter solo dance, the processional and everything? When do Aunt Mary and Grandpa Eustis demo "The Hokey Pokey" for all the kids? Mike | ||
| keith_h
Intermediate Member Username: keith_h Post Number: 132 Registered: 2-2005 |
And can you play "Rollin on the River"? :-) Keith | ||
| lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 542 Registered: 7-2004 |
And don't forget the ubiquitous "Chicken Dance"! Wow, that band rocks, pass the chopped liver! (nyuk, nyuk). Bill, tgo | ||
| dannobasso
Advanced Member Username: dannobasso Post Number: 290 Registered: 3-2004 |
Actually, I do sound for the bands. I get paid, then, a portion has gone to Santa Rosa. I hope you all had fun at your weddings and you enjoy your children's when the time comes. By all means, ask to sit in and play your Alembic. Everyone loves that. Make sure to tell everyone what key you are in. (give the agency the heads up so everyone will know your tune) And if you can sing, all the better. The guests will talk about it for years to come. Congrats and good luck on that special day. Danno | ||
| lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 543 Registered: 7-2004 |
When my wife and I were married almost four years ago, our wedding band was essentially the old JGB with Melvin Seales (a friend was playing guitar with JGB at the time). I sat in for a couple of songs. One of the high points of the wedding was when my wife thanked Melvin and he told her: "Your old man can really play" I also did a couple of songs with my band. My wife imposed a strict limit as to how many songs I could play. Otherwise I likely would have spent most of the reception playing! Bill, tgo | ||
| richbass939
Advanced Member Username: richbass939 Post Number: 326 Registered: 11-2004 |
57basstra, there is an infomercial currently running selling the "Superstars Of Country" package. About 20 minutes into it is a 3 or 4 second shot of Jon Anderson. It looks like he's playing a Series. Next time I see it on I'll try to get a digital pic of it and look more closely. Rich | ||
| lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 544 Registered: 7-2004 |
Rich: Sitting through 20 minutes of a Country music infomercial you've already seen, just to try and get a picture of a 3-4 second clip for another club member. Boy, talk about going above and beyond! My hat's off to you, brother. Bill, tgo | ||
| bracheen
Senior Member Username: bracheen Post Number: 781 Registered: 11-2003 |
My daughter and son-in-law, a bass player by the way, walked back down the isle to Billy Idol's "White Wedding". It was very touching. Sam | ||
| richbass939
Advanced Member Username: richbass939 Post Number: 327 Registered: 11-2004 |
Bill, togo, thank you. Actually it isn't much of a bother. I took note of the artist's name, the person on before the clip (a little advance warning) and how many minutes into the infomercial it was. Next time I see it on I'll have a few minutes to get my camera and get ready. I'm not even sure it was an Alembic. It surely looked like one, though. Often when I decide to watch TV I can't find anything interesting on. In my channel surfing I like to see if I can spot any Alembics. Just a little time-wasting hobby I have. I liked your "wife being happy" comments on the "Roman Conquerer" thread. It made me think of one I heard once. One sign said "When momma ain't happy, ain't nobody happy." The other sign said "When daddy ain't happy, nobody cares." I thought about posting it after yours but decided to leave that thread alone, whew. BTW, I like your quote. Rich | ||
| lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 547 Registered: 7-2004 |
Rich: Still, that's an inconvenience for you just to peak the interest of someone else in cyberspace. Man, I love this site. A really fine bunch of people. As a follow-up to Sam, my wife walked down the aisle to "Ripple" and we walked back up to "Sugar Magnolia" - "She's got everything delightful, she's got everything I need...." One of the advantages of waiting to 46 to get married - parents had no say whatsoever in the wedding plans. (Of course they had nothing to do with paying for it either! LOL). Bill, tgo | ||
| 57basstra
Member Username: 57basstra Post Number: 54 Registered: 4-2005 |
John Anderson is one of the "coolest" of the true, classic Country Stars. Wouldn't surprise me at all that he'd be playing Alembics. (Message edited by 57basstra on July 26, 2005) | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 2105 Registered: 5-2002 |
Bill wrote, my wife walked down the aisle to "Ripple" and we walked back up to "Sugar Magnolia". I love it!!! | ||
| lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 549 Registered: 7-2004 |
We also had a tie-dye cake, my then 6 year old stepson and I wore matching tie-dye bowties and cummerbunds with our tuxes, and the wait staff all wore matching tie-dye T-shirts. The wedding invitation was a full size 60's Fillmore-style poster that went out to the guests in a mailing tube. We had a lot of fun with it. (As it should be). Bill, tgo | ||
| dannobasso
Advanced Member Username: dannobasso Post Number: 291 Registered: 3-2004 |
I just got back from BB King's in NYC and saw guitarist Dan Lane with his Alembic with Dr. Hoodoo Medicine show. I used to play in a band way back with the other guitarist Bob Susko. Didn't stay for much of Rick Derringer, who was using a Warrior as far as I could tell. Danno | ||
| jalevinemd
Advanced Member Username: jalevinemd Post Number: 206 Registered: 12-2003 |
Rick Derringer is using Warriors these days. I believe there's actually a RD model. They've run a few full page color ads on the back of Vintage Guitar Magazine lately. | ||
| cosmic
Junior Username: cosmic Post Number: 15 Registered: 5-2005 |
"As a follow-up to Sam, my wife walked down the aisle to "Ripple" and we walked back up to "Sugar Magnolia" Hell yeah! I love the Dead! | ||
| richbass939
Advanced Member Username: richbass939 Post Number: 338 Registered: 11-2004 |
 | ||
| richbass939
Advanced Member Username: richbass939 Post Number: 339 Registered: 11-2004 |
OK, David, here's a pic. Sorry it's so grainy. That's the best I could do taking a pic of the TV. When I saw 2 or 3 shots totaling 5 seconds it looked like it could be an Alembic that John Anderson was playing. When I get to stare at it for awhile I don't think so. I couldn't get a pic that shows the headstock more clearly. Anyone recognize this thing? Rich | ||
| 57basstra
Member Username: 57basstra Post Number: 58 Registered: 4-2005 |
Hey Rich, thanks. I don't recognize it; but it kinda looks familiar. |
